Accessory for rowing ergometer machines

ABSTRACT

Accessory for rowing ergometer machines comprising an elongated arm provided at one end with coupling means intended for coupling to the main frame of the rowing ergometer machine, while the opposite end of the elongated arm includes coupling means (oarlock) for rotatably coupling an oar, thus obtaining a simulation of the movements generated during the practice of rowing a boat.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present application is to register an accessory for rowing ergometer machines incorporating significant innovations and advantages.

More specifically, the invention proposes the development of an accessory for a conventional rowing ergometer machine that makes it possible to couple an oar and thus obtain a simulation of the movements generated during the practice of rowing a boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a great variety of exercise machines that simulate different sports activities, such that a person can perform such activities in a closed space, such as a gym or in their own home. These exercise machines include rowing ergometer machines, which pretend to simulate rowing practice.

However, the movements performed by the user when using the exercise machine are not exactly the same as in the case of actually rowing a boat, so it is not possible to obtain the same result as during rowing practice. Although this does not involve any inconvenience for occasional practice, it may be relevant to a professional rowing athlete, since it is does not allow training in a closed space without a boat that simulates the same exercise, in other words, the same movement of the legs, trunk, arms, forearms and wrists, in addition to the same sequence of muscle discharge and development of the technique.

Furthermore, the applicant is not currently aware of an invention having all the characteristics described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in order to provide a novel accessory within the field of application and solves the aforementioned drawbacks. In addition, it provides further advantages that will become apparent based on the description here below.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a removable accessory for rowing ergometer machines, characterized in that it mainly comprises an elongated arm provided at one end with releasable coupling means, which are intended for coupling to the main frame of the conventional rowing ergometer machine, while the opposite end of said elongated arm includes coupling means (an oarlock) for rotatably coupling an oar.

Thus, once the accessory described above is mounted on an exercise machine, it is only necessary to manually fasten the tensioned chain in the oar without further complications.

Thanks to these characteristics, a user can practice rowing by simulating movement and position with the same characteristics as the actual practice of rowing a boat, unlike rowing ergometer machines currently existing in the market.

Another significant advantage of the accessory described above is the fact that it is not necessary to modify the design or configuration of a conventional rowing ergometer machine since the accessory only needs to be coupled to obtain the desired effect, such that the costs involved are only related to the accessory itself and in no case would imply additional costs for adapting the rowing ergometer machine.

Another aspect that should be taken into consideration is that the user can perform the same rowing movements as if they were sitting in a boat, which makes it possible to teach rowing techniques without having to be physically on a boat in the water.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means intended for coupling to the main frame of the rowing ergometer machine comprise a pair of flat bars separated from each other, wherein one of the flat bars is fastened to the elongated arm, said flat bars having positioning adjustment means which make it possible for the flat bars to adjust to the size of the main frame of the rowing ergometer machine. The system is therefore easy to assemble and to remove manually without the need for specialized tools.

Preferably, the positioning adjustment means may comprise at least one threaded rod, which can be coupled into threaded holes found in each of the flat bars.

According to another aspect of the invention, the coupling means for coupling the oar may comprise an axle or oarlock (of similar characteristics to those used in rowing boats).

In addition, the accessory may include support means connected with the elongated arm, which may consist of a height-adjustable support foot.

Other characteristics and advantages of the accessory object of the present invention will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, which is illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the accessory for rowing ergometer machines mounted on a conventional rowing ergometer machine;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the accessory for rowing ergometer machines;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a rowing ergometer machine; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of a rowing ergometer machine provided with two accessories according to the invention and arranged opposite each other.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the figures mentioned above and according to the numbering adopted, a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

Thus, as shown in the figures, one embodiment of the accessory intended to be installed in rowing ergometer machines essentially comprises an elongated arm (1) formed by two “V” shaped profiles made of any suitable resistant material, which is provided at one end with coupling means (2) intended for coupling to the main frame (3) of the rowing ergometer machine (shown schematically since it is not the subject of this invention), while the opposite end of the elongated arm includes coupling means (4) for rotatably coupling a rowing part by means of an axle or oarlock, as will be explained below.

In specific reference to the coupling means intended for coupling to the main frame of the rowing ergometer machine, the same comprise a pair of flat bars (20) (made of any suitable material) facing and separated from each other, wherein one of the flat bars is fastened to the elongated arm (1), said flat bars (20) having positioning adjustment means. In particular, these positioning adjustment means comprise a series of threaded rods (21), which are coupled to corresponding through holes (provided with an internal thread) found on each of the two flat bars (20).

With respect to the coupling means for coupling the oar, they comprise an axle (5) arranged vertically and mounted on a plate (6), which is located at one end of an extension (7) protruding upwards from the elongated arm (1). It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art of rowing that the axle (5) could be replaced by another suitable fastening system, which is also used in boats for practicing the sport of rowing.

Supporting means are provided to ensure greater stability of the elongated arm (1) when mounted on the rowing ergometer machine, consisting of a support foot (8) the height of which is adjustable in a telescopic manner in the direction of the arrows (f) (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

A machine with a single accessory on one side is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for reasons of clarity, although it will be well understood by a person skilled in the art of rowing that there may be an accessory on each side of the main frame (3), as schematically shown in FIG. 4, according to the needs or preferences of the user.

The details, shapes, dimensions and other auxiliary elements used in the manufacturing of the accessory described in the invention may conveniently be replaced by others that do not depart from the scope defined by the claims which follow. 

1. An accessory for rowing ergometer machines, comprising an elongated arm, characterized in that the elongated arm is provided at one end with releasable coupling means intended for coupling to the main frame of the rowing ergometer machine, while the opposite end of the elongated arm includes coupling means for rotatably coupling a rowing part, said coupling means intended for coupling to the main frame of the rowing ergometer machine comprising a pair of flat bars separated from each other, wherein one of the flat bars is fastened to the elongated arm, said flat bars having positioning adjustment means comprising at least one threaded rod which can be coupled into holes found in each of the flat bars. 2-3. (canceled)
 4. The accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling means for coupling the oar comprise an axle, oarlock or the like arranged vertically with respect to the ground plane.
 5. The accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes support means linked to the elongated arm.
 6. The accessory according to claim 5, characterized in that the support means consist of a height-adjustable support foot. 